Share this post

Link to post

Share on other sites

Casting is continuing swiftly on JTBC’s fantasy sageuk Mirror of the Witch, and with its leading roles filled, we’re on to the supporting cast, with the latest additions being Lee Ji-hoon (Six Flying Dragons, School 2013) and veteran supporting actress Jeon Mi-sun (Who Are You—School 2015, Maids).

The drama is now largely done with its casting, with Yoon Shi-yoon headlining as royal doctor Heo Jun, who wrote the famous medical text Mirror of Eastern Medicine and personally attended to King Seonjo, the father of future kings Gwanghae and Injo. Seonjo will be the role played by Lee Ji-hoon, who in the drama will suffer from a mysterious and painful disease that causes thorns to grow on his body. He does everything he can to cure his ailment and becomes entangled adversely with the cursed princess’s fate; played by Kim Sae-ron, the princess then becomes a witch with a “frozen heart,” though I’m not quite sure what that means yet.

"Witch Exemplar" is a fantasy historical romance drama depicting love and the coming-of-age story by Princess Seori, who turned into a white haired witch by a curse and Heo Joon (Yoon Si-yoon) a young man, who is hiding a burning anger in his heart.

Lee Ji-hoon-I will play King Seonjo who catches a mysterious disease that makes thorns grow out of his skin. The character does not reserve anything to solve the curse that causes all of the awful things happening in Joseon. He is anticipated to show off his strong screen presence as someone who confronts the misfortunate Princess Seori.

And the star-studded lineup continues with the addition of hot rising actor Lee Ji-hoon(Mirror of the Witch), who just confirmed his role in SBS’s fantasy-romance seriesLegend of the Blue Sea.

He is set to play Heo Chi-hyun, the half-brother to Lee Min-ho’s Heo Joon-jae; he’s the hardworking son who dutifully stayed by his father’s side after his brother Joon-jae left home. Described as being a “cold-hearted fellow,” Lee will hopefully shine in this role, as he has in his recent work.

Lee Ji-hoon made his drama debut in School 2013 with subsequent supporting roles inYou’re the Best, Lee Soon Shin and Six Flying Dragons, among others. He most recently touched the hearts of viewers with his stirring portrayal of King Seonjo in JTBC’s Mirror of the Witch. His impressive range was on full display as a young monarch struggling to lead his country while fighting emotional and physical calamities.

Fantasy-romance drama Legend of the Blue Sea is writer Park Ji-eun’s hotly anticipated follow-up to her smash hit My Love from Another Star. It is based on an early Korean mermaid folktale about a fisherman — who actually existed in real life! — and the mermaid he sent back into the sea. Jeon Ji-hyun and Lee Min-ho are the main leads.

Is the amount of star power to your fancy yet?

Legend of the Blue Sea will premiere in November on SBS, right after Jealousy Incarnate.

Share on other sites

Web dramaGogh’s Starry Nightis getting a second life on SBS as a 4-episode mini drama to be broadcast on Saturday-Sunday. The workplace rom-com is the first web drama from PD Jo Soo-won ofPinocchioandI Hear Your Voice, and was already released in China where it surpassed ten million views in three weeks.

This is an interesting case where the drama will belatedly get a domestic release as a prime-time TV show, which is probably due in large part to SBSpushing backSaimdang, Light’s Diaryuntil January, leaving its previous timeslot — the post-Second to Last Lovespot this fall — open on weekends. A 4-episode drama won’t be much more than a bandaid in terms of filling the programming slot, but it’s a nice opportunity for the web series and its stars.

The light romance starsKwon Yuri(Neighborhood Hero) as an employee at an advertising agency, andKim Young-kwang(D-Day) as the surly boss she dislikes.Lee Ji-hoon(Mirror of the Witch) is the ex-boyfriend who dumped her heartlessly, and when he joins the company as a team leader, he tries to win her back. And as if that weren’t enough suitors,Shin Jae-ha(Wanted) is the hoobae with a starry-eyed crush on her.

The drama also features cameos fromPinocchio’sLee Jong-seok,Park Shin-hye, andYoon Kyun-sang, which given the 4-episode length, might be reason enough for me to check this out. I think the plot boils down to one girl, many suitors, and not much else; but it seems cute and fluffy. Maybe those of you who’ve already seen the web drama version can tell us if you’d recommend it.

Gogh’s Starry NightfollowsSecond to Last Loveand premieres October 22 on SBS.